The Haasienda on Shroyer…

10 PM, Wednesday night

The past 30+ hours have been a roller coaster with Harrigan’s health.

In late September, 2023, I learned Bailey had esophageal cancer.

After I got The Sisters on Christmas night, 2013, our vet and several veterinarian friends pointed out, “these sisters are so close that you need to be prepared: if one of the girls passes away, it may not be long before the other one goes.“

Following Bailey’s death on December 27, 2023, Harrigan plunged into a deep depression. She aged rapidly in the face and suddenly began acting like an old dog. As long as she continued to eat and drink water, as well as other basic things throughout the day, I was encouraged that she would work through her grief. Having the other pooches in the house would also be a benefit.

Students and families who have known Harrigan for years (four current students have known her since her arrival 10 years ago) have all noted that Harrigan remains in my bedroom and doesn’t come out to greet students who arrive for lessons.

Until this Monday morning, Harrigan never missed a meal and was consistent with her water intake. I noticed that she was even playing pretty hard and fast with Colonel Deeds, especially during this spell of warmer weather; Harrigan and Colonel Deeds were having a grand time running the entire backyard.

Tuesday evening, at almost 9 PM, I noticed a terrific decline in Harrigan. She was suddenly listless, exhibiting changes in her breathing, and wanting to hide beneath my bed. Once I laid down on the floor in my bedroom, she came out and snuggled with me. I made a pallet on the floor and slept with her through the night, often visited by the other pooches. Hoskins and Colonel Deeds seldom left her side. I communicated with several veterinarian friends, and they were of the same conclusion that Harrigan was slipping away.

Today, Wednesday, Harrigan has been 80% of her old self. There have been a few dips, but for the most part, she has been acting like her normal self. Her appetite has gradually returned, her spirit is renewed, and she has been matching Colonel Deeds in energy during potty breaks.

I certainly appreciate all the love and affection shown us these past 24 hours. Unless there is a drastic change, I am going to conclude the updates.

Thank you, all, for your love, prayers, and encouragement.

Delmar was my grandfather’s middle name. Grandpa Leroy’s middle name was in honor of his great-grandfather, Frederick Delmar Barmes a native of Bavaria, Germany, and a Civil War Union veteran. Grandpas own grandfather, the son of Frederick Delmar Barmes, was Jesse Delmar Barmes. Jesse Barmes and Frederick Barmes are my second and third great-grandfathers.

When I directed MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, I knew the Smith family took the Skinker Trolly from their Kensington Avenue home in St. Louis to the 1904 World’s Fair in nearby Forest Park. There was also a Delmar Trolly line. When I worked with my artistic team, I explained the trolly lines and commented that I wished the Smiths had taken the Delmar Trolly line due to the family name connection. In the end, my artistic team surprised me with the first view of the completed trolly. On the sides were emblazoned, “Delmar Trolly.” The team said they knew I insisted on accuracy, but they also wanted to thank me for my leadership.

I have lived on Shroyer Road for nearly twenty-one years. While waiting on the Dorothy Lane No. 28 bus, I looked across the street and was astonished to find the apartment building with “Delmar” carved into the stone. All these years of passing by the structure and I never knew it was named Delmar.

Here we are greeting Thursday, the last day of February 2024. I always felt February could drag as much as January, but February was in a skipping mood this year.

Wednesday morning’s tornado reports are still being investigated by the National Weather Service, but it’s been announced that there were touchdowns in close communities east of Kettering and Dayton. A few blocks away in Oakwood, the storm that was to impact Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Xenia, Beavercreek, Fairborn, and Yellow Springs, was tracked moving eastward at forty miles per hour.

The day continued with dull skies, brisk winds, and colder temperatures just a few hours after knowing warm breezes with temperatures near seventy.

Today holds little activity save a few hours away from the pooches. I’d like to visit my Chinese haunt but that will depend on my energy level by late afternoon.

I completed my Walmart grocery order Monday morning with the anticipation of its delivery by Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday, while attending to business and completing errands, I purchased several items from Kroger that I had purposely not put on my Walmart list. On this list was three large stalks of celery.

This afternoon’s delivery yielded three large stalks of celery! I had forgotten to delete celery from my delivery. I had already cut up the celery from Kroger to be used with carrots and radishes with dip through this weekend. I knew the newer stalks would not hold up.

Three diced stalks of celery with chopped green onion and three cans of mushroom soup later, I produced a delicious batch of cream of celery soup. I was surprised that it would actually turn out and not to be thrown out.

On with this day. Make it a great day!

Wednesday. 4:35 AM.

Rain hammered the windows in my bedroom so fiercely that I feared the glass would break.

Then, the weather emergency alarm sounded on my phone. I hopped out of bed as I remembered I had left the door to the deck open so that fresh air could fill the house. As I raised the storm door’s window, the tornado sirens began. I returned to my room to find Chief partially under the bed and the other four snuggled together beneath the bed. The bed rests on 8” risers.

5:00 AM, the winds and rain had receded and sleep was forbidden to return. I’ve read that “something” had been spotted above Oakwood, three blocks away.

Tuesday was lovely, windy, and like an early April day. I got to spend some time out in the weather and enjoyed it immensely. 

I took lunch at Elsa’s on Stroop Road before taking the No. 28 to Town & Country shopping center to deposit some checks, grab some music books from Second & Charles Bookstore, and then headed across the street to Kroger. The store is still a mess as they continue to renovate the expansion. Some areas are spacious and comfortable, but the aisles feel cramped and difficult to maneuver with passing shopping carts. By 1:30 PM, I was back home with the pooches.

At 7 PM, I was seated in Fairmont HS’s auditorium to enjoy the four impressive choirs presenting their OMEA contest selections. The preview concert was conducted just as an audience would experience at the OMEA contest in a few weeks. There were three judges to offer their recorded and written responses, and no video or recording of any kind was allowed.

The Kettering Fairmont High School choral department, under the direction of Brody McDonald, has some of the sharpest choirs in the state. Musically, there are few, even some college choruses, that can compete with these Firebird ensembles. I was delighted with each ensemble’s three songs and noted that their diction was superb. It was also terrific to observe the singers standing with their arms and hands to their sides, and not looking like the Golden Corral buffet of posture and hand positioning.

Bravo to these fine young vocalists, and to their directors and support staff.

I will be away from the house for events on Wednesday and Thursday until 2 PM but have my evenings free for writing and researching. Some great progress has been made in plot development and I am quite pleased.

It’s going to be a soaker, today, but I intend to make it a great day!

Last night was the Gem City RnB concert at Schuster Center and I thoroughly loved listening to the music and enjoying so many of our guests.

The original report was that we’d be wrapping up by 10:15 PM; however, the main act was not taking the stage until 10 PM. Ugh. I was fearful I would not be able to make the bus, but my area on the loge was clear of patrons by 11:25 PM, just enough time to make the 11:37 PM No. 17 for Kettering.

My calendar was supposed to be fairly free today except for an evening house management event for Dayton Live but by Thursday, everything was changing and now I am to be gone from 8 AM until about 2:30 PM and shall board the No. 17 for downtown by 4:30 PM until 11 PM. My body and mind are exhausted, and physical aggravation is present with the sudden change in the barometric pressure as snow pelts the Miami Valley. At 6:30 AM, I am exceptionally eager to reintroduce myself to the bed.

Here’s to another day when I am able to move about life, meet new folks, see familiar faces, and experience some marvelous moments.

Make it a great day!

It was about 6 PM on a Sunday evening, thirteen years ago that my fourth son and I arrived home from a trip to Indiana, bringing with us our dog, Flyer, and two ten-week-old puppies which would be named Chief and Navi.

My son and I, along with Flyer, spent the weekend with my mother in Elwood, Indiana, so we could all attend a winter percussion event in Indianapolis where my third son competed with the Fairmont HS ensemble.

We wound our way through eastern-central Indiana and were near Monroe Central Jr/Sr High School and followed IN-1 as it turned east to merge with CR 400E. At the corner was a large piece of plywood leaning against a utility pole with rough, hand-painted words, “Free Puppies.” A few hundred yards later, another sign with the same message was at the entrance to a farmhouse. I continued driving past the house and suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. My son said, “He’s gonna do it, Flyer!  He’s gonna do it.”

The son was correct. I did it. I turned around the car and we pulled into the driveway. We were led to the barn by the teenage daughter of the house where we observed eight puppies playing in the straw-filled stall with their mamma, a black lab. We were told the father was a Staffordshire bull terrier. Six puppies were all black with touches of white, but two were all white. I was gravitating toward one of the all-white puppies, but I encouraged my son to pick out a puppy. He immediately selected the male puppy that would soon be named Chief. I watched several puppies playing and noticed the larger ones were trampling the runt of the litter. “Hand her to me! She’s getting crushed!”

The son and I walked out carrying two puppies that Sunday afternoon. He carried Chief and I had Navi tucked under my arm.

The house felt complete with three dogs, and my sixteen-year-old cat, Logan.

In October 2011, Logan passed away, and two years later we lost Flyer in July, and Navi in December 2013 following an automobile tragedy. Four days later, I returned home with eight-week-old puppies, Bailey and Harrigan.

Through the years, Chief has seen sons and foster sons come and go, as well as four cats and three dogs. He’s been the best dog, and even with aching joints and lots of aging, he’s still the leader of the pack, serving as the magnet for new pets.

Today, on this thirteenth anniversary of Chief’s (and Navi’s) Gotcha Day, the pooches got a scoop of pumpkin on their kibble, and tonight, they each enjoyed a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

This day is about as beautiful as it gets with sunshine, breezes, and temperatures in the mid to upper fifties. Tomorrow through Wednesday, we have expectations to see the temperatures in the mid-sixties, and after a brief dip to the fifties for several days the sixties return with a surprise visitor at 70 degrees next Monday. After that most welcome guest, we shall remain in the sixties and upper fifties!

Now, keep in mind that this is Ohio, and anything can change within a few hours.

I finally feel caught up on my rest; somewhat. I did return home by 11 PM, last night, after house managing a delightful production of the Jewish Community Center’s TUCK EVERLASTING in Dayton Live’s PNC exit on the southeast corner of Ludlow and 2^nd streets. It’s a very nice black box theatre, and the facility is quite nice. It brought back some wonderful memories of when Kay Bosse and I directed PETER PAN for the Jewish Community Center. It’s moving on thirty years since that production and it was when I got to meet the multitalented Carol Finley who has become a landmark in Dayton’s theatre community, and a terrific asset to the board and productions for the Dayton Theatre Guild.

Before the performance, I got to meet a super couple who are heavily involved in the performing arts, and I do hope to meet up with Krystal and Brad Combs, again. A truly nice, invigorating couple.

I spent a good deal of my Sunday morning snuggling and napping with three of the five pooches. In 45 minutes, I begin teaching which will last until 11:30 PM. Tomorrow morning, I will be out of the house by 7:30 AM, returning by 2:30 PM before it is time to teach at 4 PM.

This afternoon, I dusted using a recipe that is supposed to help eliminate frequent settling. In a spray bottle, I poured 2 cups of water, ¼ cup of vinegar, a few drops of dish detergent, a few drops of scented oil, and a tablespoon of olive oil. My fingers are crossed for this test as I live in a very dusty home, despite nice furnace filters, and other attempts to ward off the dust. However, I do live with five dogs who promote dander and dust. I also threw in a load of dishes and cleaned the bathroom. Even all the drains have had their allotment of baking soda, vinegar, and a hot water chaser.

I am satisfied with the amount of rest and the balance of household chores for this day. On with lessons and the start of a new week.

Seven months from today, I shall celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of my earthly premiere, thus entering my sixty-first year.

Make it a great day!

Thursday was quite overcast and warm, and thunderstorms haunted the early afternoon, followed by rain showers throughout the remainder of the day. I can be out in cold weather and snow, but walking in the rain has always been uncomfortable.

The weekend will be busy with events to house manage at Dayton Live.

I love the onset of lengthier days with earlier sunrises and later sunsets. Things will soon begin sprouting which will ignite my allergies and irritate my sinuses, but I am happy with Spring’s impending arrival in less than four weeks.

“Winter’s On The Wing” from THE SECRET GARDEN

Winter’s on the wing
Here’s a fine spring morn’
Comin’ clean through the night
From the May I say
Winter’s taken flight
Sweepin’ dark cold air
Out to sea, spring is born
Comes the day I say

And you’ll be here to see it
Stand and breathe it all our day
Stoop and feel it, stop and hear it
Spring, I say

And now the sun is climbin’ high
Risin’ fast on fire
Glarin’ down through the gloom
Gone the gray, I say
The sun spells the doom
Of the winter’s reign
Ice and chill must retire
From the May I say

And you’ll be here to see it
Stand and breathe it all our day
Stoop and feel it, stop and hear it
Spring, I say

I say, be gone, ye howlin’ gales
Be off, ye frosty morns
All ye solid streams begin to thaw
Melt, ye waterfalls
Part ye frozen winter walls
See, see now it’s startin’

And now the mist is liftin’ high
Leavin’ bright blue air
Rollin’ clean ‘cross the Moor
From the May, I say
The storm’ll soon be by
Leavin’ clear blue sky
Soon the sun will shine
From the day, say I

And you’ll be here to see it
Stand and breathe it all the days
Stoop and feel it, stop and hear it
Spring, I say.

Make it a great day!

My friend, Kim Lade, and her daughter, Kaylee, drove me down to The Pines Pet Cemetery and Cremation with Bailey’s body an hour after Bailey passed on December 27, 2023. Today, Kim and I made the trek back to The Pines to retrieve Bailey’s cremains, her paw print, some of her fur clippings, and a certificate of cremation.

It’s Presidents’ Day.

We didn’t have this holiday when I was a kid but celebrated Lincoln’s and Washington’s birthdays separately. I loved having one entire day to observe Lincoln’s birthday. I remember my appreciation for Lincoln kicked in on February 12, 1972, in the first grade at Washington Elementary School.  

Sunday offered more energy. I didn’t feel the least bit sluggish and was free of gut issues and pain. The brighter weather is definitely lifting the spirits which have flagged for some time. The sun rises earlier in the day and lowers later in the evening. I like this!

Following an afternoon and evening of great lessons, I was in bed by 11:30 PM. At 2 AM, I woke, realizing I was not drawing deep breaths. The entire process of breathing was labored and off. I checked my pulse and blood pressure twice; all was well. I kept myself calm for fear that increased anxiety might make things worse, and soon everything returned to normal. But, by 3 AM, the gut discomfort had returned, and returning to sleep was not in the cards.

Yes, I did consider calling 911 but I wanted to be sure I didn’t hear paramedics say, “Sir, it’s nothing serious, you just have three dogs piled across your chest!” I had checked to make certain The Colonel nor Hoskins were draped over my chest as they often do.

I fed the dogs and returned to my bed. Harrigan, Hoskins, and Colonel Deeds were by my side the entire time.

The handle’s stem inside the toilet tank snapped and I ordered one from Amazon which arrived Sunday. A friend offered to replace the handle but was unable to come over Sunday afternoon. I contacted Mama Kay for the contact information of her handyman, and she immediately called him and secured his services for this morning at 9 AM. Since I was to be away this morning, Mama Kay agreed to let him in for the 10–15-minute repair. I was still unwell, and Mama Kay took care of everything while I kept to my bedroom with the curious chorus of pooches.

It’s moving in at 4 PM and I fully intend on completing an afternoon and evening of teaching.

Make it a great day!

My attendants throughout the day:

Happy St. Valentine’s Day!

Happiest of birthdays, on this Valentine’s Day, to my baby sister, Dena, who celebrates her 51st year.

Tuesday had beautiful weather, and I found everything to be pleasant and rather relaxing. I went to see a movie at The Neon which I blogged about after the movie was over.

At the end of the movie, I had 70 minutes until No. 17 was to take me southward, so I decided to grab a sandwich from Arby’s which is across the street from the movie theater on the northwest corner of 4th and Patterson. It’s convenient despite its consistency of inadequate customer service.

My order was placed at 7:10 PM, and at 7:45 PM, I returned to the counter to ask about my order. It had not even been started. I politely requested a refund. When this request was reported to the cook, he shouted at me, “couldn’t you see how busy we were?”

Actually, I reported to him, that I understood his overwhelming predicament because only two cars had gone through the drive-through the entire time I sat there waiting for my food.  On top of that, I was the only one in the restaurant for the duration of my wait. 

While many things of this nature can be blamed on the past pandemic, this particular Arby’s had been in decline for several years before we were quarantined. Polite, good service at the counter is always hit and miss, and many times, I will have the correct order plus several other items in my sack.

I feel fortunate to have grown up in an era where businesses prided themselves for their extraordinary customer service. I rarely recall a moment when customer service and satisfaction were not a premium quality of every business. Often times now, Now, I often feel as though I am an interruption to an employee’s day, or that I’m interrupting their social time with their colleagues or when they are on their phone. 

The conclusion of my Tuesday was probably what I would rate as “so so” between the movie and dining. Being with the pooches was definitely the highpoint of my entire day. Upon my return home, I completed a number of tasks that satisfied me.

I have precious little planned for this morning, but will be busy throughout the afternoon. By 8:30 PM, I’ll be teaching several students via Zoom.

Make it a great day!

Monday has returned and I sit here wishing I had allowed myself some time to enjoy the weekend rather than being glued to my bed. The weather was beautiful, and I wish I could have been outside more.

I elected to teach via Zoom last night and it was a hit-and-miss lesson evening as some students failed to let me know until the last minute they had Super Bowl events. Had I known, I could have condensed my schedule without dragging out the evening with huge holes in the schedule.

The weather has returned to normal conditions in the 40s and by next Monday, we might visit 50 degrees, again.

This week, my baby sister, Dena, turns fifty-one on Valentine’s Day. I still remember early in February 1973 when my grandmother, Donna Barmes, woke me with the news that I was finally a big brother.

And today is President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

FEBRUARY

By Anne-Lise Andresen

The ground is chained in frozen iron

Snow crystals glued on pine cones

Overhangs embroideries of polished ice

The wind shakes and shatters them into millions of pieces

Slowly more brightness toward longer days

A new light is born across a white landscape

With its beauty and bliss a squirrel in a pine tree

Thoughts and reflections how beautiful it is

Make it a great day!

I spent Friday evening at Schuster Center, and I really did enjoy myself. Dayton Live brought in a company that projected HARRY POTTER onto the Schuster’s stage with members of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and their conductor accompanying John William’s remarkable score. While I spent most of my time in the orchestra-level lobby chatting with David & Cathy Long, and fellow house manager, Samantha Lowe, the music was always in the background. Patrons came costumed as various characters from the motion picture, and I saw a lot of magic wands.

Yesterday, I was thumbing through Facebook memories and ran across a video of Bailey from several years ago. I played the video, listening to it via one of the Bluetooth speakers located in the main octagonal hallway. As Bailey’s bark was heard, there was a pause from the pooches, and then their reaction. Harrigan jumped off the bed and ran to the speaker where she began crying out. Chief’s head was raised and cocked, and soon he was moaning. Erma moved to the other side of Chief and whimpered. Colonel Deeds sat like a chunk of marble, staring toward Bailey’s voice. Several times, he turned and looked at me. Hoskins listened but offered no physical reaction.

I had been keeping an eye on Harrigan as she seemed to be the one most affected following her sister and littermate’s passing on December 27, 2023. She seems better but does remain in the bedroom, oddly when some of her favorite students are here.

I was moved by their painful and touching reaction upon hearing Bailey’s voice. They are not just fellow pooches in a pack, they are a family. Bailey’s physical vacancy is still terribly missed.

The weather’s unseasonably warm visit is coming to an end. As this afternoon and evening progresses, we shall steadily move downward from our current (12:45 PM) 57 degrees to 48 degrees by 8 PM. Of course, the agreeable weather has included some downsides with sniffles, sinus aggravations, and coughs as spring flowers begin peeking through the ground and birds belting out springtime oratorios.

Make it a great day!

SWAN LAKE has one more swim across the Schuster stage this Sunday afternoon, but I will not be there to watch the beautiful production. I got to enjoy a little more of Dayton Ballet’s presentation, Saturday night and spent much of the time chatting with another house manager, Mark Vella, a British native now secured here in our country. He is such a delight, always.

My day is filled and then I will have but ninety minutes to rest and prepare for teaching from 4 PM to 11:30 PM, with a repeat of this same schedule on Monday. I am beginning to feel the body’s grind and look forward to Tuesday and Wednesday when my services are not needed in any capacity except to care for the pooches.  I spent all of Friday and Saturday in bed with terrific gut discomfort, rising only to tend to the dogs and to get ready for Schuster Center.

Harrigan’s spirits appear to be bouncing back a little more each day. I’ve kept a close eye on her since Bailey’s passing on December 27 and I’m astonished at how she has dramatically aged. Harrigan has also been a little more needy and seems to snuggle with me a lot more than she ever did. Of course, she often has to wait until Colonel Deeds or Hoskins vacates their spots on either side so I appreciate it. These young college students. can dart into an empty place. I’ve also observed her playing with the younger ones a lot more than she has done in the past. It’s quite fun to watch this more playful side of her developing at age 10.

Harrigan, unlike Bailey, and the others, has always been more serious. She was never one to play or romp, which makes it so fascinating to see this side of her coming out. When Erma arrived five-and-one-half years ago, the others watched with amazement and confusion as the new arrival tried her best to get the others to play with her. My dogs have always considered themselves to be more human than dogs. When Colonel Deeds arrived on February 3, 2023, the older pooches were not ready for this fresh, spirited puppy, but they soon learned to enjoy his playful antics and loving affection for each of them. Now, it’s a double barrel with Hoskins teaming up with The Colonel.

Make it a great day!

The song, “Winter Wonderland,“ is a Christmas standard, but it certainly applies to what went on outside since yesterday afternoon. It was not snowing Friday afternoon when I let the dogs out to potty before I stepped onto the No. 17 at 3:40 PM. When I stepped outside to cross the street to the bus stop, it was already snowing heavily. By the time we reached downtown at 4 PM, it was still coming down pretty hard, but there was no solid accumulation.

When I began checking in the Volunteers/Ushers for SWAN LAKE at 5:30 PM, the sidewalks and streets were getting their first layer of snow, The ballet began at 7:35 PM, and it looked like it had been snowing for several days, not just a few hours.

We had a good many patrons who were running late due to the inclement weather. During the preshow curtain speech, the line of vehicles along Second Street heading to the parking garage was still quite lengthy. The curtain went up and I know that in the upper balcony, there were 50+ patrons we continued seating until 8 PM.

I wasn’t aware that we even had snow coming until the late afternoon when I saw my cousin, Sam Fisher, post a photo of the snow they had received in central Indiana. Naturally, the weather was the principal conversation for the evening. We had snow falling outside, and swans dancing inside; I fear there’s gonna be a good deal of molting and melting pretty soon.

It was nice to sit out in the balcony lobby, listening to Tchaikovsky‘s beautiful score. All levels of the auditorium were well-filled. There was a large group of students from Cedarville University, who were dressed to the nines and having the most marvelous time. It was like the days when I was their age when we dressed up to go to an event. I appreciate these college students.

Make it a great day!

There are many cool things for kids of all ages to enjoy, now, but there are several things I’ve come across in recent days that reminded me of my childhood with fond memories.

When I was in kindergarten, I got my first lunchbox and thermos. I loved my Peter Pan lunchbox and used it all through elementary school.

Going to the A&W root beer stand was always a fantastic tree. There were the frosty mugs for adults and even for a small children. I still love a good frosty mug and root beer.

These were the pop machines when I was a kid. There were the ones that were like a refrigerator, and then there were the chest soda containers. I can remember my great grandfather, Virgil “Red” Barmes, being upset when Coca-Cola went from $.05 a bottle to $.10 a bottle. I recall how the bottle caps would jab into my fingers when I would try to pull the bottle out of the machine.

This was, by far, one of the best gifts my parents ever gave me. The set of World Book Encyclopedias arrived between my birthday and September and Christmas. I am confident that my parents’ money was well spent as I spent countless hours reading through the encyclopedias. I still have, and use, the wooden bookcase, that came with the set.

I attended the 5:15 PM viewing of THE ZONE OF INTEREST at Neon Movies. 

I read nothing on the movie beforehand. I don’t even recall seeing a trailer of this movie while attending others.

According to Wikipedia: The Zone of Interest is a 2023 historical drama film written and directed by Jonathan Glazer, loosely based on the 2014 novel by Martin Amis. It was a co-production between the United Kingdom and Poland. It stars Christian Friedel as the German Nazi commandant Rudolf Höss, who strives to build a dream life with his wife, Hedwig (Sandra Hüller), in a new home right next to the German Auschwitz concentration camp. 

THE ZONE OF INTEREST, review: “This unforgettable as brutal masterpiece. Before you read on, a word of caution. There are some films – many of them– then impress on a first viewing, but which start to trickle away a handful of sand, the moment you leave the cinema.“

As I realized that the film held historical context, I developed more interest in the slow moving simplistic plot which was unrecognizable, practically vague to the point of their not being a plot. There were several things I could take away with me, but I kept thinking to myself, “where are we going?” and, “what’s the point?”

The English subtitles, at times, were washed away as they blended into the film. Several times, the white text could not be seen due to the white floor, or various cinematography effects. It was quite disappointing.

Still, I cannot say that I truly disliked the film, but I did not feel the impact. I’m sure others might experience.

It’s moving in on 2 PM and it has been a relaxing day, so far.

After feeding the dogs at 6 AM, I finished my own breakfast and climbed back into my bed for another two hours of sleep. I seldom listen to music, but last night I went through one of my playlists, listening to various tunes. This lasted well past 2 AM and I enjoyed the relaxation with music and three of the five dogs wedged up against me.

I climbed board No. 28 and stepped off the bus in front of Elsa’s Mexican restaurant on Stroop Road.  I completed a good deal of editing while lunching and ventured across the street to Dollar General to grab a few items.

Now, I am walking the few blocks from the bus stop on Dorothy Lane to my house, and I am thoroughly enjoying this mild sunshiny February day.

I’m still trying to decide whether or not to spend the remainder of the day editing and writing, or heading down to Neon theater to see a new film. I should probably remain home to spend more time with the dogs. Chief, Erma, and Harrigan have suddenly grown older in appearance, and they are each showing much more white in their faces. 

Make it a great day!

It’s been all about the wonderful weather we’ve been experiencing in the Miami Valley this week. It began with frosty mornings and ended with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. We currently have 53 degrees and anticipate a high of 62 degrees. The storm window is lowered in the door leading to the deck to freshen up The Haasienda.

Last evening, I joined Mama Kay, Laura, and Jozi for dinner to celebrate Mama Kay’s birthday today. When she was born in 1942, she was the area’s first WWII baby. Her birthday is sandwiched between both of my fathers, David Haas on February 5, 1942, and Danny Jolliff, on March 22, 1942.

Tonight, I will serve as a house manager at Schuster Center for the HARRY POTTER motion picture, accompanied by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. I’ve been ground to my bed for over a week except for teaching and I am excited to have tonight’s outing after enjoying last night.

This week we celebrated the one year Gotcha Day for Colonel Deeds and Hoskins’ fie month birthday.

There is just little to report and it’s time to begin my day.

Make it a great day!

The baby girl of The Haasienda is eight months old today!

Make it a great day!

Thursday’s weather could not have been more wonderful for the first day of February 2024. My afternoon walk was both enjoyable and comfortable. Next door, at the high school’s campus and athletic fields, several of the spring athletic teams were taking advantage of this fine weather. It was just so damned good to see sunshine again after two weeks of gray skies, and a majority of the days filled with rain.

Yesterday, I was chatting with someone regarding “being prepared.” I have a low tolerance for those who are not prepared and who hold up others in a process. I see it too often at the bus stops with new riders not having their payment cards or phones ready with the QR code. They can see the bus coming but it doesn’t occur to them to have their payment system ready when they step onto the bus; therefore, the bus driver waits until they forage through their pockets, backpacks, or purses to locate their card. It’s rude and inconsiderate. The same goes for those not having payment ready when at the cashier’s station. Really? You are in line for the transaction. For God’s sake, be prepared for your payment. I am very forgiving for parents/individuals with young children or those who struggle with other issues.

I suggested that “being prepared” should also apply to “being on time.” They are pretty much the same thing. I see this a good deal with many individuals attending a show. There is no sense of urgency for being on time or being in one’s seat for the start of the concert or production. Too many are focused on having a drink and/or snack before entering an auditorium even when they know there is only a moment before starting time. Their lack of preparedness and their casual attitude and behaviors then become an issue for their fellow audience members and it’s rude to the performers.

Mother was a stalwart about being early so that we were on time. She came by it honestly as her dad, Grandpa Leroy, was always, always early. If church began at 10:30 AM, we were there no later than 9:45 AM. This was instilled in me and I raised the sons under the same doctrine of being prepared, and being considerate and courteous of others.

My band director, Paula Simmons, always reminded us that “to be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be on late.” Yes. I still follow this mantra, sustained by my mother and grandparents’ teachings. And, if you are going to be late for a meeting with others, let them know. It’s that simple.

Now, I shall not be late in returning to my bed by 7:30 AM. It’s now 7:21 AM, so I shall be early and on time.

Make it a great day!

February 3rd comes with life celebrations as well as a remembrance.

My great-great grandparents, Joel Monroe Jones and Anna Greenlee Jones were married on this date in 1893.

In 2019, my brother’s life ended. Destin Lang Haas was born on November 4, 1974.

GOTCHA DAY: One year ago, today, Colonel Deeds was delivered to The Haasienda by his foster mom, my former student, Becca Hoskins Grubb.

The Colonel is handsome, affectionate, devoted, playful, and an eager and natural photo-bomber. While still considered a pup, he is both rambunctious with high energy and extremely loving of all the other pooches.

Here’s to another great, energy-filled year with Colonel Deeds.

Make it a great year!

We made it to February!

I kept myself occupied all of Wednesday, only taking a few naps. The weather was mild and dull with its grayness.

Tuesday offered us a round of wet snow that did not accumulate to be considered anything notable. I took lunch with Mama Kay and Mary for our Taco Tuesday repast after which I napped. At 5 PM, my former student, Alex Loree, who has been a bonus son and now, a dear friend, arrived and we chatted for a good two hours before heading to China Cottage on Far Hills Avenue where another two hours elapsed. It is always refreshing to spend time with Alex.

My 20+-year-old long computer monitor bid farewell on Saturday, and I ordered a new one to be delivered so I could have my trio in place, again, for Sunday’s teaching. My new monitor arrived the same day as the order was placed but I did not have the right connector to my PC. I went to the Miller Drive Walmart on Sunday morning and obtained what I believed to be the correct cable connector. Nope. Wednesday morning, I traipsed to Walmart on Kingsridge Drive to obtain the correct cable connector but somehow, my HDMI cord was lost in transition. Rather than head out, again, I ordered it on Amazon with the promise it would arrive by 8 AM, this Thursday morning. It arrived Wednesday evening!

I taught a makeup lesson via Zoom before heading downtown to Neon Movies where I took in ALL OF US STRANGERS, a movie I truly enjoyed for the aspects of “visitations.” The official description: “One night in his near-empty London tower block, screenwriter Adam has a chance encounter with mysterious neighbor Harry, puncturing the rhythm of his everyday life. As a relationship develops between them, Adam finds himself drawn back to his childhood home where his parents appear to be living just as they were on the day they died thirty years ago.” It was perfect timing for something I have recently begun sharing from my own childhood, making it very appealing. Actress Claire Foy, popularly known as Younger Elizabeth in THE CROWN, starred in this vehicle, making it all the more interesting for me, as I adore Claire Foy.

Back at home by 10 PM, I sat at my computer to install the new adapter and recently arrived HDMI cord. The monitor lit up. However, the sound of my speaker tower had stopped working. Computer technology is not a strong hand for me, but I have always managed most things thrown my way without assistance. It took almost ninety minutes, tinkering with drivers, relocating things, and cussing a good deal, but by 12:45 AM, I had successfully fixed the problem. A new monitor was installed, and a sound issue was fixed made me a happy person.

This Thursday morning finds me feeling better than previous days but I am retreating to my bed for a few more hours to hopefully solve some newly arisen issues, one with an irritating muscle in my left eye, and some soreness and swelling in my right ear which I first thought might be an earache. Nonetheless, on with my day but only after more sleep to build more energy.

Make it a great day!

I grew up watching and loving the television sitcom, BEWITCHED. I still watch it via streaming sources. BEWITCHED, and its beloved characters, and I debuted within a few hours of one another in September 1964. To top it off, the lead male in the show and I shared the same name but with different spellings. Thanks to my great-aunt, Norma, and her son, Gary/Wally, I maintained the nickname, “Derwood,” well into my forties.

I posted this photograph of the Darren & Samantha Stephens home at the fictitious address, 1164 Morning Glory Circle, located on the back lot of the Warner Brothers Ranch in Burbank, California. It sat on Blondie Street alongside other famous television homes, many of which were built in the 1950s. The post has received numerous comments from other BEWITCHED friend-fans.

In 1971, the made-for-television movie BRIAN’S SONG appeared and I was woefully confused as to why the character, Gale Sayers, played by Billy Dee Williams, and his wife were living in Darren & Samantha Stephens’ home. Mother tried explaining that the home was a television set and not a real house and that it was used for other programs. Her explanation only added to my confusion.

The Stevens home made its way into multiple television shows, THE MIDDLE, HOME IMPROVEMENT (it gets blown up), GIDGET, I DREAM OF JEANIE, HAZEL, LIFE GOES ON, FATHER KNOWS BEST, THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, THE MONKEES, as well as movies, HOOK LINE & SINKER, CHRISTMAS VACATION starring Chevy Chase. The façade was inspired by a real house located at 267 18^th Street in Santa Monica, California.

Sadly, Warner Brothers announced plans to demolish their beloved neighborhood to make way for an office building complex. The reports are mixed as to whether the demolition has taken place, and one site noted the BEWITCHED home was razed on Friday, October 13, 2023, however, I have not been able to verify this from accurate sources.

The BEWITCHED House at 1164 Morning Glory Circle

PHOTOS:

Facade, 1964; Facade in its glory days; Facade’s backside; Warner Ranch sets being demolished; Facade in September 2023; Facade of the Hecht home from THE MIDDLE during destruction.

Two more days and January 2024 is in the books. It seems like months since the end of the previous year’s holidays. Typically, I pay little mind to the tugging of January as we push forward but this time it was considerably evident.

I have some errands to complete today, but my body is dragging like it’s January. I rose to attend to the dogs and shower before teaching, yesterday. I’ve lost six days to MS-related conditions, and I am a little testy that so much time to do other things has escaped me. So be it. I do what my body indicates.

The dogs have been grumpy these past few days, growling and snarling at one another. One moment, they are true siblings yelling at one another, and the next they are playing and snuggling. Harrigan has rejoined the ranks a bit more and was playing a good deal with Colonel Deeds on Monday.

Hoskins has become my constant companion, now dividing her time to play or snuggle with others or snuggle with me.  I realized, last night and this morning that she is indeed growing as the sound of her tromping across the deck to come inside is now heavier.

It has been a great week of teaching, and I am so proud of the efforts of the students, especially the four new students who had dug right into voice and piano study.

I am retreating back to my bed for what I hope to only be a few hours, trusting the aching and throbbing will diminish.

Make it a great day!